Court-ordered apology on Facebook raises free speech concerns

View full sizeAssociated PressA Tuesday, Feb. 21 photo shows the Facebook page of Mark Byron, in Cincinnati. Byron is involved in a divorce suit with his wife, Elizabeth, that has spilled over into Facebook. Due to a post on his Facebook page about his divorce and custody restrictions in November of 2011, a Hamilton County judge gave Byron the choice of going to jail or apologizing to her on the page for 30 days. He chose the apology, but plans to appeal.

CINCINNATI (AP) -- A
man who posted comments about his estranged wife on his personal
Facebook page and was told he would go to jail unless he apologized on
the page for 30 days says the court ruling violates his freedom of
speech.

Mark Byron is making the apology. But he and free speech
experts say the ruling determining what someone can or cannot say should
concern other Facebook users.

A court magistrate in Cincinnati
last month found Byron in contempt of an order prohibiting him from
causing his wife mental abuse, harassment or annoyance. He can avoid 60
days in jail by apologizing to his wife and his Facebook friends.

Court documents allege Bryron's comments posted in November were intended to be mentally abusive, harassing and annoying.

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